Independent Component 2

LITERAL
(a) Statement saying: “I, Logan Ramirez, affirm that I completed my independent component which represents 30 hours of work.”

(b) Cite your source regarding who or what article or book helped you complete the independent component
Greg Oberon, Daniel Ramirez, and Russ Evans.

 (c) Provide a digital spreadsheet (aka log of the 30 hours)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ArZeKIJ-DYRTdE56S1VKdlp5WHQzVDFrMXpMN1lSbHc#gid=0

 (d) Explanation of what you completed. 
I started my volunteer work with Pomona Valley Special Olympics in 2008. Last year, for independent component 1, I decided to become a certified coach and immerse myself into the culture. I enjoyed coaching, mentoring and assisting the athletes over the year.  I soon decided that I wanted to continue my role as coach for PVSO.  For independent component 2, I made the decision to complete 30 hours of mentorship with these special people. My job to coach for Bocce Ball was a great experience.  I gained knowledge both on and off the court.  I participated in monthly Board and Coach meetings and discussed ways to motivate, encourage and care for the athletes.  I studied Bocce manuals and paid special attention to coaches instructions.  Often, I needed to reply to emails and provide suggests to our Area Director Russell Evans. I helped lead practices with Greg Oberon and Daniel Ramirez.While at practices, I provided feedback to the athletes so that they could perform their best. Several times throughout the year, I participated in regional tournaments which for me often started at 7am and ended in the late afternoon.  Socially, I helped the athletes in a variety of ways: supported athletes, coaches and volunteers and help teach new skills. I enjoyed my experience as a coach.  I realized that coaching also included bathroom monitoring, trash collector, sweater finder and referee between athletes when they had personal issues.

INTERPRETIVE
Defend your work and explain how the significant parts of your component and how it demonstrates 30 hours of work.   Provide evidence (photos, transcript, art work, videos, etc) of the 30 hours of work. 
In the links below it shows evidence that I have completed 30 hours of work. My job at Special Olympics is a coach, support the athletes, coaches, and volunteers in any way that I can. As a coach it my responsibility to mentor, consul, push the athletes to be the best they can be.
http://ipolylogan13.blogspot.com/2013/03/practice-senior-update-4.html
http://ipolylogan13.blogspot.com/2013/02/bocce-practice-senior-update-3.html
http://ipolylogan13.blogspot.com/2013/04/senior-project-update-8.html


APPLIED
How did the component help you answer your EQ or support one or more of your answers.  Please include specific examples to illustrate how it helped.
This component really helped me answer my EQ and answers. My EQ is "What is the most significant way that Special Olympics can help an person with a intellectual disability gain social competence?" While being a coach it gave me a whole new perspective of all the good things that come out of the athletes while they are in Special Olympics. I got to see the athletes grow and mature in their sport but most importantly see the athletes become socially competed. For example: at the beginning Dawn would come to practices and would expect others around her to compete tasks for her. She didn't want to help herself. Through time, encouragement, and praise she is coming to practices and putting her purse in the correct place, walking the track when asked, and even picking up her own bocce ball. These improvements may seem small to many but they are actually huge accomplishments. She is becoming socially competent which is great. that is what Special Olympics is striving for. Special Olympics and the athletes have shown me with hard work, patience, and praise athletes can become socially competed. By coaching, working with athletes, and research I have answered my essential question.

Senior Project Update 8.

On April 20, 2013 Pomona Valley Special Olympics got to participate in a tournament at Cal Poly Pomona. This event was host by Lanterman Developmental Center and Pomona Valley Special Olympics. Each tournament takes turns in hosting a event. Lanterman and Pomona Valley Special Olympics split the costs for food, medals, having medical care, and tents and extra items. Other Special Olympics teams came from all different areas for example: South LA, East San Gabriel Chapter and Fountain Valley. Due to another event being held in San Bernardino County may chapters did not show up which was a downer. But they did not stop the athletes from having a good time. Coaches had to arrive early and check in. The other coaches and I waited wait for the athletes to arrive and start our day. Once they athletes arrived we stretch a little to get warm up to play some bocce ball. In tournaments depending on the division the athletes are on it depends on how much coaching they can receive. The divisions range from A-D. In A and B divisions they is usually a team caption who is a athlete and helps run the team. A and B levels cannot receive help or coaching in a tournaments. In C and D teams coaching is allowed because the team consisted of lower development athletes. The team that was taken was a D level team, so coaching was allowed. Me and the other coaches supported and assisted when needed. There were games and booths for the athletes when they were not competing. Overall the day was great and all the athletes had a great time.

Senior Project Update 7.

A Poem About Our Heros

We were recently sent this poem from a long-time Special Olympics coach and supporter. We thought we would share this with all of you.
Uncommon Heroes
by Jann Miller, June 2002
It is easy to imagine the beauty In each face that might have been
It is easy to see a glimpse of a family tie You can see the image of a mother or dad In a shadow on their face You can tell it is their child, but not really.
It’s easy to imagine how solemn Their life might be, thinking how sad
And then you see them dance.
Twirling, spinning to the music
They either hear like me,
Or hear it in their mind.
And you see them smile.
Singing the words they may know, Or making them up as they go.
Whichever it is, it is a song of joy
If their limbs are silent, Their faces dance alone
They don’t try to be better Than anyone else,
They just try to be better for themselves.
Each face bears the mark of a hero, Every step a miracle of its own
And we watch them dance And we see their joy
And we see the uncommon hero.
There’s a spirit in every soul Whether quiet or loud
That spirit comes alive when they win, Or when they don’t
And we feel so proud for them But not nearly as proud as they
Feel for themselves.
Proudly displaying the medals they’ve won A very proud hero with a tale to tell Of a battle won not just today But every day One step at a time One breath at a time One dance at a time A song in their heart
The uncommon hero.

I found this poem on the Special Olympics website and it is beautiful. Everything that was said in the poem represents how the athletes really are. If people would just take time out of their day to spend with the athletes they would too understand.

Senior Update 6.

Throughout the month of April, you can make a donation to Special Olympics at any Vons or Pavilions check-out. Funds raised through the customer fundraising promotion will benefit Special Olympics, Easter Seals and several other disability organizations. All proceeds raised will allow Special Olympics to provide even more sports training and competitions to individuals with intellectual disabilities. Thanks to Vons and others support, this campaign has raised more than $9.3 million for Special Olympics since 2008.

Here are the items that my family and I dropped off at Vons in Via Verde.